Sports games are lost. Applications rejected. Relationships broken. People die. These are things that can plague the heart and soul. But clearly there is a difference among them. A death in the family is much more tragic than a game lost by a sports team. I realized this the night Ohio State lost to Florida in the National Championship when my great-grandmother died at the age of 96. Their loss just did not seem to matter to me; it was the loss of a life so greatly lived that upset me.
I understand that for many people Obama's victory last night signaled the end of their dreams to see McCain in the White House. I congratulate you on voting (if you did) and I appreciate your participation in the democratic process. I also understand your dismay and sadness. You have clearly felt that the best person for the job lost out.
What we must remember, however, is that we will survive as a nation with Obama as our president. It is not that glum. For those of us who voted for Obama we are excited about the future, but this should not lead us to uncritical assesment of what Obama says and does. We have a responsiblity to treat all elected officials with the respect they deserve, yet inherent to that respect is a critical stance that does not take their policies for granted. That happened to us with the election of Bush twice. The excitement over his triumph gave us hope that America will be better off. I supported Bush too sanguinely then and I am deeply sorry that I did. I think I could have been better in my critical stance towards his policies. And I think America would have been better off if we all had done that.
So, now, I plead to everyone to not look at this as some kind of tragic death. Sadness should have its place and should not be ignored. But let's turn that sadness into creative energy and not recalcitrant hatred. Nor should the election be viewed as the triumph of good over evil. There is still a lot of evil in our world. Uncritically accepting Obama as president will do nothing to help get rid of that evil.
There is a new day on the horizon. It is different than all the ones we have had before, showing just how important it was.
But let's walk through it together both critically and respectfully.
The path we tread is rife with obstacles, but together I believe we can make it.
God Bless America.
It's kind of weird. I've seen all kind of things, from people saying they were going to go read Revelations to see what's going to happen over the next 4-8 years, people saying it's the death of democracy (as if Socialism actually is the opposite of democracy :P), or talk about moving to europe (which is by and large 10x more socialist than Obama...)
ReplyDeleteIt will be quite interesting to see what happens in the next few months, but I think people will eventually calm down. They did after Bush won, the did after Clinton won, the same will happen here.
ReplyDeleteThe question is not if we will survive as a nation after an election. The question is how soon will another nation quietly take us over while we are all staring at our own navels.
ReplyDeleteI have not been sure if I trust Obama or not. However, Obama pleased me during last night's victory speech. If he runs the country like he did his speech, then I think that he could be one of the greatest presidents of all time. I feel that Obama has a great potential to unite the divided states of america. We shall see whether he reaches out to all people (like he did during the speech) or whether he promotes far-left thinking. I felt like I was looking at the real Obama last night. In my opinion, he was not being a politician trying to advance his own agenda. Instead, I saw a true leader that recognized the difficulties that are ahead and is prepared for them. Instead of basking lightheartedly in his victory, he was happy yet somber and real. He was humble and gracious, even kind. His happiness didn't seem to come so much from his victory as much as the the realization of the hope that unites America.
ReplyDeleteAfter such a speech I can do no other but to offer him my support.
As Caleb says, this will not be uncritical support, but it will be support. Together, America can turn things around for the better.
I wish the end-times Christians I keep hearing from would stop talking.
ReplyDeleteThey give Obama too much credit if they believe he will account for the deterioration of Western civilization.
They are embarrassing.
He is a Democrat, not the anti-christ, though the two may be synonymous in your mind.
Sorry, that's a little harsh, but it is frustrating.
ReplyDeleteThat's ok B-row, harshness is acceptable in certain circumstances. In the case of End Times theorists, it is always acceptable!!!
ReplyDeleteEnd times theorists are easy to refute, but hard to convince. It's a part of their mentality. You can fit a lot of hard-core creationists and anti-homosexuals into that same list.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the post, man.
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